§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why he authorised the British Steel Corporation to purchase the tar and benzole refining assets of Messrs. Lane Brothers at Scunthorpe and Port Talbot, and earlier the assets of Bristol and West Tar Distillers, when the Iron and Steel Consumer's Council recommended that the board should hive off its peripheral activities in chemicals and confine its activities to the manufacture of iron and the processing of fabrication of steel.
§ Mr. John DaviesMy consent is not required for the purchase by British Steel Corporation of assets and I did not authorise the purchase of those of Messrs. Lane Brothers. Consent is required for the acquisition of interests in companies; the acquisition of Bristol and West Tar Distillers took place under the previous Administration.